A look back at SABR 24 — 1994 Texas convention
Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil, left, and Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts pose for a photo during the 1994 SABR convention in Arlington, Texas (Courtesy of C. Paul Rogers III)
JUNE 18, 2025 — Next week, the annual SABR convention will return to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for the first time in three decades. Our SABR 53 convention will be held June 25-29, 2025, at the Westin DFW Airport Hotel, where we will hear from a star-studded lineup of speakers, including Hall of Famers Iván Rodríguez and Ferguson Jenkins, Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and President of Baseball Operations Chris Young, and many more. We’ll also visit Globe Life Field for a ballpark tour and a Rangers game. Click here to view the full SABR 53 schedule.
Back in 1994, The Ballpark at Arlington was the brand-new home of the Rangers, having opened earlier that season. SABR’s 24th annual convention on June 16-19, 1994, drew 405 members and guests to the Arlington Marriott hotel for a packed schedule that included four panels, plus talks by recently retired Rangers star Nolan Ryan at the Friday luncheon and Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts at the Saturday banquet, which was emceed by broadcaster Gene Elston and included musical entertainment by former major-leaguer and Texas League president Bobby Bragan.
John Thorn and Negro Leagues legend Buck O’Neil participated in a special session previewing the upcoming Ken Burns documentary series, Baseball, which aired on PBS later that year. A players panel included Roberts, O’Neil, Bragan, Frank Lucchesi, J.C. Hartman, and Charlie Pride.
A baseball executives panel, moderated by longtime Astros boss and SABR member Tal Smith, included Eddie Robinson, Sandy Johnson, Dick Butler, and Stan McIlvaine. A panel of baseball writers included Jeff Guinn, Tim Kurkjian, Phil Rogers, Mike Sowell, and Thorn. In addition, Rangers President Tom Schieffer and Judge Tom Vandergriff also spoke.
On Saturday night, convention attendees took in a high-scoring and entertaining game between the Rangers and Oakland A’s. Many members also took a trip to the Six Flags amusement park, a tour of the Legends of the Game Museum, and a tour of LaGrave Field in Fort Worth. Two months later, the 1994 baseball season came to a halt due to labor strife. The Rangers finished in first place in the American League West in spite of a losing record.
To learn more about SABR 53 in Texas, visit SABR.org/convention.
Click here for a multimedia look back at SABR convention history.
The SABR 24 Players Panel included, from left: Frank Lucchesi, Robin Roberts, Charlie Pride, Bobby Bragan, J.C. Hartman, and Buck O’Neil on June 19, 1994, in Arlington, Texas. (Courtesy of C. Paul Rogers III)
Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts, left, poses for a photo with SABR members Talmage Boston, center, and C. Paul Rogers III during the SABR 24 convention in Texas. (Courtesy of C. Paul Rogers III)
SABR Dallas-Fort Worth chapter president Howard Green, third from left in suit, speaks during a tour of the site of LaGrave Field in Fort Worth during the SABR 24 convention in Texas. Former Fort Worth Cats players joined the tour to talk about their memories of the ballpark. (Courtesy of Mark Presswood)
Originally published: June 18, 2025. Last Updated: June 18, 2025.